Characterization and Modelling of Triply Periodic Minimum Surface (TPMS) Lattice Structures for Energy Absorption in Automotive Applications

The performance of triply periodic minimum surface (TPMS) lattice structuresStructure was evaluated for use as energy absorbers in automobile crash structuresStructure. Schoen’s Gyroid TPMS lattice structuresStructure were manufactured from colorFabb carbon fibre reinforced nylon (PA-CF) filament using fusion deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing3D printing. Compressive and energy absorption performance was quantified experimentally using quasi-static compression testing. Test samples were replicated at different gyroid cell size and continuous surface thickness combinations. Results were compared to published data from other lattice structuresStructure to assess relative performance, and analysed to develop a recommended gyroid TPMS geometry. It was determined that varying either the continuous surface thickness, or unit cell size influenced the performance of the structureStructure. A gyroid TPMS structureStructure with a cell size of 10 mm, and a continuous surface thickness of 2 mm was found to perform the best, achieving an impressively high specific energy absorption capacity of 13.06 J/g (± 0.15), significantly outperforming both 3D truss and traditional 2D lattice structuresStructure for use in the automotive industry.